Downturn to clean up construction sector of casual entrepreneurs
KLAIPEDA - Towering glassy Lithuanian-size skyscrapers and popped up eye-catchingly bright maisonettes and houses on the outskirts purport to show the glory of the recent construction boom. However...Construction sector resonates in Tallinn’s silhouette
TALLINN - The Estonian construction market witnessed skyrocketing growth during the years of economic boom. Banks generously poured money into the industry, new residential and industrial areas wer...Boom year excesses squeezed out in slump
RIGA - Construction workers are leaving for Sweden, as that’s where the work is. The building industry is quite strong there as the country wasn’t hit by the global economic crisis in t...Total waste management falls behind modern practice
RIGA - “Waste management,” not “throwing out the garbage,” is the politically correct term, and process, today, for handling trash that we generate on a daily basis. And it ...High expectations for incineration plants as new landfills fill up
KLAIPEDA - With Lithuania’s EU membership, the country has committed itself to meeting its waste management and environment protection requirements, but the policy-making may be the toughest ...Thai massage basics
Thai massage is a type of massage in the ‘Thai’ style that involves stretching and deep massage. This form of bodywork is usually performed on the floor, and the client wears comfortabl...Massage – the most effective relaxation
RIGA Massage kinds There are various massage methods used around the world. Some of them can have several names. For example, classic or Swedish massage; Russian speaking people call it clas...Wet weather shopping
RIGA - Winter this year has shocked Baltic residents with its strong frosts and plenty of snow. According to weather forecasters, this winter has been the coldest and the snowiest for the past hu...Upcoming Events
Haddaway March 5 Cafe Amigo, Tallinn Rammstein 2010 Tour March 5 Siemens Arena, Vilnius Maksim March 5 Pramogu Arena, Vilnius March 6 Arena Riga Cosmos March 7 Estonia Concert...Francisco Goya’s art in Vilnius
VILNIUS - On Feb. 25, an exhibition of 78 etchings, with aquatint Los Caprichos by Spanish art genius Francisco Goya, was opened in the Vilnius Picture Gallery, which is situated on Didzioji Street...Qigong : the way to health improvement
Throughout history humanity invented various methods of making our life on Earth more comfortable. Science technical progress allows us to research Space, to develop engineering and to clone live o...Look through the reasons of your illness
The Ayurveda is a part of Vedic culture. It is based on the philosophical system Sankhya, and describes a structure of a material world. Another part of Ayurveda is Jyotisashastra, which includes b...Tallinn International Horse Show 2010 – the gathering point for Europe’s best equestrians
TALLINN - Equestrian sport, especially show jumping and dressage, has always been considered to be an elite pursuit, which is accompanied by festiveness and faultless cognition of style. Show jumpi...Upcoming Events
STOMP March 11 – 13 Congress Hall, Riga Tallinn International Horse Show 2010 March 18 – 21 Saku Suurhall, Tallinn Eros Ramazzotti April 4 Arena Riga Brainstorm Apr...Stomp on this!
RIGA - Can you think of any famous composers of the past centuries, whose works in particular and music in general may sound like it happens in the 21st century? One of the pioneering musical ex...One for all, and all for one
RIGA - The IMF was in Riga in February to consider the release of 200 million euros in the latest tranche (of which it approved) in the 27-month bailout loan package totaling 7.5 billion euros. The...Trakai is for everyone
TRAKAI - The historical town and recreational lake resort of Trakai every year welcomes tens of thousands of visitors eager to study the history of the medieval Trakai Castle and soak in the authen...Grybauskaite’s phenomenon
President Dalia Grybauskaite is the first Lithuanian president whose portrait can be found on T-shirts in Lithuanian shops. Her popularity is indeed enormous. Those T-shirts are quite symptomatic -...Youthful health freak preaches century old medicine doctrines
Dainius Kepenis, a 58-year-old resident of Lithuania’s resort of Palanga, is an unchallengeable motivational speaker. He is an ardent supporter of non-traditional medical doctrines, such as A...Qualities of Statesmanship – is anyone worthy?
Following my recent column - To be, or not to be, the next president of Estonia - readers have raised the important question: Are there any potential Statesmen in the Estonian political establishme...Step Right Up, Folks!
Last week Latvia’s parliament, the Saeima, amended the country’s immigration law with the stated aim of bringing greater investments into Latvia. The new rules say that if you can inves...Fighting for the minorities, marginalized and women
Marija Ausrine Pavilioniene is one of the most combative voices in the current Seimas. She has been a member of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party since 2008, and has been MP since June 2009, a...Retail sales down but not out
TALLINN - Retailers in Estonia suffered another month in a more than yearlong downward spiral as January sales dropped 10 percent against year earlier figures, reports news agency LETA. The positiv...Rating agencies see signs of stabilization
VILNIUS - Lithuania’s budget deficit will remain “high” for several years, due to the increasing government debt, which will weigh on the country’s credit ratings, say Moody...Slowdown shrinks trade deficit
TALLINN - Estonia’s exports for 2009 decreased by 24 percent, with imports dropping 33 percent, compared to 2008, reports news agency LETA. Exports to Finland and Sweden decreased the most, b...Investor confidence grows on Estonia’s euro goal
TALLINN - Interest rate spreads between Estonian and eurozone money market rates have fallen to the lowest in 17 months on growing investor confidence that the Baltic country will adopt the common ...Emerging Europe excludes Baltics
TALLINN - Central and Eastern Europe seem to have emerged from the economic crisis but steady growth will be slow to come and unemployment will remain high, says Vienna-based think tank WIIW, repor...Latvia ends year with trade surplus
RIGA - The surplus in Latvia’s current account trade balance at year-end stood at 1.25 billion lats (1.7 billion euros), or 9 percent of GDP, said Bank of Latvia press secretary Martins Gravi...High praise for Dombrovskis’ crisis leadership
RIGA - Latvia is in discussions to reduce the size of its bailout loan package after the country’s toughest austerity program has produced strong results in narrowing the budget deficit, said...Energy dependence on Russia to increase
RIGA - Latvia’s Finance Ministry has supported purchase contracts by Latvenergo which are connected with the second stage of the Riga heating and power station TEC-2 reconstruction project, s...Another call for State retreat
RIGA - Latvian businessman Peteris Smidre, founder and director of the cable television and communications company Baltcom, believes that all state companies should be privatized, and not just Latt...Autoliv makes buyout offer
TALLINN - The Norwegian company Autoliv made a takeover bid to shareholders of Estonian car seatbelt producer Norma on March 1, reports news agency LETA. Autoliv has opened with an offer of 92.31 k...The week’s top news in world financial markets from Maximus Capital
USA Manufacturers increased production and employment in February, signaling factories are leading the nation out of recession as the new year begins. The Institute for Supply Management’...One-stop solution for IT services
VILNIUS - Baltic Data Center, a leader in the management of data centers and information systems in the Baltic States and a part of the Lithuanian-based TEO group, will provide IT Desk services to ...Latvia on the laundry list
RIGA - A report by the U.S. Department of State includes Latvia among a list of 60 countries in which money laundering took place last year, reports news agency LETA. The report says that the large...VAT reduction bill moves forward
RIGA - The People’s Party succeeded on March 9, with the help of the opposition, in gaining at least theoretical support from Saeima’s Budget and Finance (Taxation) Committee for forwar...Historic building faces wrecking ball
TALLINN - The landmark building in central Tallinn that has been the main post office for the city for three decades was finally sold to the Swedish company Promethean for 128 million kroons (8.2 m...The week’s top news in world financial markets from Maximus Capital
USA Claims for U.S. jobless benefits dropped last week from a three-month high, pointing to an improvement in the labor market that is slow to develop. Initial jobless applicationsfell by 29,00...Timber transport cartel suspected
TALLINN - Investigators at the Estonian Competition Board unveiled a case of the biggest alleged cartel agreement concluded in the history of Estonia, reports Postimees. It is suspected that the ti...Legal regulation of lease of buildings, construction work and installations
The vast majority of companies, in one way or another, use buildings, premises or other real estate while running their businesses. Newly established companies often need to answer the question of ...Trying to preserve power
VILNIUS - On Feb. 26, Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius met with all three MPs of tiny opposition Peasant Popular Party and its leader, Ramunas Karbauskis, who is not an MP. Karbauskis is a political...Grybauskaite urges to speed up lustration
VILNIUS - On Feb. 24, President Dalia Grybauskaite met with members of the Lithuanian parliament’s Committee on National Security and Defense urging them to finish the lustration process as s...Discussing the sale of the Mistral
VILNIUS - The mistral is a strong, cold and usually dry regional Mediterranean wind blowing through southern France. Last week, its force was felt in Vilnius. On Feb. 24, Lithuanian President Dalia...ASSIGNMENT OF A CLAIM
ECOVIS Miskinis, Kvainauskas ir partneriai advokatu konotra Assignment of a claim is an important and convenient business performance measure. By claim assignment contract, a creditor may assi...InCulto goes to Oslo
VILNIUS - On March 4, the band InCulto won the final of the Lithuanian song competition which qualifies this band of five men to go to the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo, Norway in May. The victor...Lietuva in brief
Sweden’s Minister for European Union (EU) Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson announced her intention to take part in the Baltic Pride parade in Vilnius on May 8, reports The Lithuanian Tribune. The min...MP’s unlucky trip to Thailand
VILNIUS - Two MPs may lose their jobs. On March 8, persecution of Christians started in the Lithuanian parliament: MPs started collecting signatures on two petitions which would start the process o...Meeting March 11
VILNIUS - All roads will lead to Vilnius on March 11. That is the day when the Lithuanian parliament proclaimed re-establishment of Lithuania’s independence 20 years ago. The presidents of La...Eesti in brief
Russian ground forces chief, Colonel General Alexander Postnikov, said that Iskander ballistic missiles would be deployed at the town of Luga in Leningrad Oblast, approximately 120-200 kilometers f...Ansip applauds ‘common sense’ wisdom
TALLINN - In a speech given during the celebration of the 92nd anniversary of the Republic of Estonia on Feb. 24 in Tartu, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip said that thanks to the joint effort of the pe...Estonia to join OECD
TALLINN - Secretary General of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Angel Gurria confirmed in his meeting with Foreign Minister Urmas Paet in Paris that the decision to...Defense policies under review
TALLINN - Foreign Minister Urmas Paet met with Under Secretary of Defense for Policy of the United States Michele Flournoy, reports the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Feb. 26. At the meeti...Regional competitiveness discussed
TALLINN - Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for European Union Affairs Kaja Tael met with Swedish Minister for European Union Affairs Birgitta Ohlsson, who was on a visit in Estonia last week. At the...Eesti in brief
The European Commission approved the decision of the Center for Environmental Investments to allocate nearly 440 million kroons (28.2 million euros) to the Police and Border Guard Board for purchas...Ansip explains strategy success
TALLINN - On March 7, Prime Minister Andrus Ansip met in Prague with the leader of the Czech government, Jan Fischer, to talk about matters relating to the European Union, the economic situation an...Union possible to evade penalties
RIGA - The basic principle and goal of the possible union between the People’s Party and Latvia’s First Party/Latvia’s Way (LPP/LC) is a unified platform for economic renewal in L...Mayor accused of using bad language
RIGA - The Riga Municipal Police have accepted a petition from the All For Latvia party’s co-chairman Raivis Dzintars, demanding that Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony Center) be held responsi...Latvija in brief
Riga Deputy Mayor Ainars Slesers got his way again, against the public’s expressed interest, as the Cabinet of Ministers voted on March 3 to approve a zoning change allowing him to cut down h...Latvia goes dry September 1
RIGA - Latvia’s parliament banned alcohol sales on Sept. 1, which marks the first day of school in all former Soviet Union countries, often laden with intoxicated youths getting themselves in...Government agrees on investor visa bill
RIGA - Latvia’s parliament passed the final version of the controversial immigration bill which gives foreign investors more options to get a temporary residence permit. It was approved by th...Latvija in brief
On March 11 - 12, Education and Science Minister Tatjana Koke (Union of Greens and Farmers) will take part in a conference in Vienna, Austria, and Budapest, Hungary dedicated to the 10-year anniver...IMF says property taxes much too low
RIGA - The International Monetary Fund is advising Latvia to increase its assessed property valuations, after the group’s technical mission determined that the assessed property values in maj...Riga Council in civil rights attack
RIGA - Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony Center - in photo to right) says he will not be ordering any re-review of the decision made last week banning all scheduled assemblies at the Freedom Monumen...British journalist takes Lithuanian merit award
VILNIUS - Prominent British journalist Edward Lucas has been given the Lithuanian medal of merit for his contributions to the country's security. In addition to holding the first Lithuania...Biedrins set for dubious NBA record
OAKLAND - Latvian basketball player Andris Biedrins is on the verge of setting a grim new record in the US National Basketball Association. The Latvian ball player looks like he will set the r...Gazprom demands $140 million from Lithuania
VILNIUS - Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom has sent a letter to the Lithuanian government demanding $140 million in payouts for a unprofitable power plant. The gas company bought the po...Council blasts Estonian citizenship laws
TALLINN - The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), an arm of the Council of Europe, has lambasted Estonia for the large number of non-citizens in the country. The ECRI sa...Riga Dinamo makes KHL playoffs
RIGA - Riga's immensly popular hokey team - Riga Dinamo - has earned a place in the 2010 KHL playoffs. Dinamo competes in the league's western conference, where it is in seventh place ...University students struggle with national language
TALLINN - The results of a recent poll released by the Estonian Ministry of Science and Education has found that students entering universities in the country are woefully unprepared in terms of la...Dinamo advances to quarter finals
RIGA - Dinamo Riga, the massively popular Latvian hockey team playing within the KHL, has defeated the number 1 seeded SKA St. Petersburg team in order to secure a spot in the quarter finals. S...Estonian jailed for creating virus
TALLINN - An Estonian computer expert has been sentenced with 2.5 years in prison for writing and unleashing a computer virus. Artur Boiko, 44, was convictedof creating the malware in late 200...Dinamo seals first playoff victory
St.PETERSBURG - Dinamo Riga, Latvia's immensly popular KHL hockey team, has won its first playoff game against St. Petersburg SKA 2-0 (1-0, 0-0, 1-0). SKA were heavy favorites in the game, ...Clinton praises Lithuania-US relations
WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has praised US-Lithuanian relations and called on a strong continuation of cooperation. Clinton made the comments in a video address to Lithu...Copyright conviction raises privacy concerns
The decision to send a Montreal man to prison for pirating movies has set a dangerous precedent that could threaten privacy rights, say civil rights advocates in Vancouver.Author Posner admits plagiarism
Gerald Posner has admitted that portions of his latest nonfiction work, Miami Babylon, contain texts from another book, Clubland by Frank Owen.Reality TV lures players into sadistic game
A French TV documentary to be aired Wednesday records people involved in what they thought was a game show in which they are asked to administer electric shocks to rival contestants.Once-disputed Picasso painting goes on the block
Pablo Picasso's Portrait of Angel Fernandez de Soto (The Absinthe Drinker), owned by British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber through his art foundation, is going to be auctioned in June.Dinner with Irish flair
Here are two more places serving Irish fare for St. Patrick's day:
The Blue Boar Inn & Restaurant in Midway is offer a three-course chef tasting dinner tonight (March 17) featuring traditional Irish fare. Cost is $29.95 per person. For a reservation, call toll free: 888-650-1400.
At at Zucca Trattoria, 1479 E. 5600 South, in South Ogden, Chef Elio Scanu will offer a special “green” menu March 17 through 20. Call 801-475-7077 for details.
Be Irish at Acme Today
Acme Burger Company in Salt Lake City, is offering traditional Irish specials today in honor of St. Patrick.
2 Mini Corned Beef and Cabbage Sandwiches • $3.95
A bowl of Irish Stew • $5
Shepard's Pie • $5.95.
Irish Creme Pie-$7
Pints of Shiner Bock Lager or Guiness Stout • $3.95
Irish Coffee • $4.50
Irish Car Bombs • $6
Acme Burger Co. • 275 South 200 West, Salt Lake City; 801- 257-5700
2 arrested in Dutch art heist
Police in the Netherlands have arrested two men in the theft of two paintings, including a Salvador Dali, from a Dutch gallery last year.Former Vienna Boys’ Choir members allege abuse
The Vienna Boys' Choir said Wednesday it has heard from eight possible abuse victims following an initial report of allegations last week.Marley’s son settles with editor over book claims
Bob Marley's son, Ky-Mani, has settled with the editor of his book Dear Dad, which claimed that he was kept out of his father's financial legacy for many years.Keys, Peas will rock FIFA crowds
Alicia Keys, Black Eyed Peas and a dozen other artists have been announced for a concert to be performed in Johannesburg during the World Cup.Booker winner Mantel on Orange Prize long list
Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall, which captured the Booker, is on a list of 20 authors for the Orange Prize, which honours female novelists who write in English.Beckham’s tendon injury inspires poetry
English soccer star David Beckham's Achilles tendon injury on Sunday inspired sympathy in fans - and poetry from British poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy.High-tech cooking demo
Restaurant chefs have been using the sous vide method of cooking for decades. Now, Utah home cooks can see how this high-tech "boil-in-a-bag" technique is done. Two free demonstrations will take place on March 20 and 27 at 11 a.m. at the Sur La Table store in Salt Lake City's Gateway Mall.
Experts will explain how food is vacuum-packed in plastic and then cooked to perfection in a temperature-controlled water bath. The menu includes pork tenderloin, glazed carrots, rosemary and garlic potatoes and poached fruit.
(Read about Utah chefs using the sous vide technique in this Tribune story from Dec. 2009.)
One warning! If you want to cook sous vide at home, it will require a major investment. The SousVide Supreme water oven, pictured here, costs $450. A vacuum sealer can cost another $100 to $130 and special BPA-free vacuum-sealing bags can range between $25 and $35.
Despite the high costs, demand for the appliance and accessories has exceeded expectations, according to Seattle-based Sur La Table. The company introduced the appliance just before Christmas of 2009.
Maybe the recession is over.
Sur La Table • 10 N. Rio Grande St., Salt Lake City; 801-456-0280.
Rapper Lil Wayne arrest warrant
A WARRANT was issued Tuesday for Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Wayne, who is facing drug and weapons charges in Arizona.Followers of Sadr Emerge Stronger After Iraq Elections
Discipline has thrust the followers of Moktada al-Sadr, the radical Shiite cleric, to the brink of perhaps their greatest political influence.Junkhouse guitarist Achen dies playing hockey
Dan Achen, who used to play with the rocker band Junkhouse, has died at the age of 51 while playing a game of pickup hockey.EU warns 5 major eurozone nations on budgets (AP)
AP - The European Union on Wednesday warned Germany, France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands that they are relying too much on a strong economic recovery to meet debt reduction targets.Getting a Mortgage Without Perfect Credit (BusinessWeek)
BusinessWeek - The government keeps promoting programs designed to help existing homeowners refinance their mortgages at a lower rate, as well as get perspective buyers into homes. In other words, Uncle Sam says he's here to help. "Phooey," say homeowners and prospective homeowners, who keep complaining that it is ridiculously hard to get a mortgageor refinance one. Can both sides be right? Unfortunately, yes. But if you are willing to do a bit more work than in the past, it is possible to lower your mortgage rate to 5% or arrange to buy your first home. It is clear that there is pent-up demand to do both. ...BSE Sensex joins global mkt party; banks lead (Reuters)
Reuters - The BSE Sensex rose 0.6 percent to its best close in two months, joining the global markets cheer as the U.S. Federal Reserve maintained its pledge to keep interest rates near zero, and pointed to increased momentum in the recovery of the world's largest economy.
UK unemployment edges down in January quarter (AP)
AP - Unemployment in Britain dropped to 7.8 percent in the three months through January from the previous quarter's 7.9 percent, the first such decline since May 2008 as the economy emerged from recession, official statistics showed Wednesday.OPEC insider: no change in output (AP)
AP - A delegation member at an OPEC oil ministers' meeting says the gathering has agreed to keep output targets unchanged.
World Bank says China should grow 9.5 pct in 2010 (AP)
AP - The World Bank raised its China growth forecast this year to 9.5 percent from 9 percent on Wednesday but said Beijing needs to cool inflation and possible bubbles in real estate prices.
Central banks give world markets a boost (AP)
AP - World stock markets rose Wednesday after the U.S. and Japanese central banks indicated they were in no hurry to start raising borrowing costs and concerns about the Greek debt crisis subsided.
Bank of Japan expands lending to fight deflation (AP)
AP - Japan's central bank is escalating the fight against deflation by offering more cheap loans to banks.Porsche H1 profit skids 83 pct on VW merger costs (AP)
AP - A dip in sales and costs from its failed attempt to take over Volkswagen pushed sports car maker Porsche's six-month net profit down by 83 percent.Metro 2009 net income falls 7 percent (AP)
AP - German retailer Metro AG said Wednesday its 2009 net income fell 7 percent to euro519 million ($716 million) as the economic downturn cut into sales at most divisions, including its Kaufhof department stores and Cash & Carry wholesale outlets. [...] Continue Reading…
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Senate poised to clear jobs bill for Obama (AP)
AP - Companies that hire unemployed workers get a temporary payroll tax holiday under a bill headed for likely Senate passage Wednesday.
Israelis Resist U.S. Demands on Building in Jerusalem
Israel said it would reject U.S. demands and expressed anger over the public upbraiding of the prime minister.News Analysis: Opportunity in a Fight With Israel
A dispute could shore up President Obama’s credibility as a peacemaker by showing that he has the fortitude to push Israelis and Palestinians toward an agreement.World Briefing | The Americas: Cuba: Protest March Disrupted
Govenrnment supporters harassed members of the opposition group Ladies in White in Havana as the women marched in protest against the imprisonment of dissidents.After Quake, Rural Haiti Struggles to Absorb the Capital’s Displaced
January’s earthquake has prompted hundreds of thousands of Haitians to leave Port-au-Prince, reversing a decades-long migration from the countryside.In Mexico, Promises Do Little to Ease a City’s Pain
In Ciudad Juárez, where 500 people have been killed in drug-related violence since Jan. 1., there is little hope that government programs will make any difference.Mexico Announces Austerity Plan to Save $3 Billion
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Mexico's government has announced an austerity plan for trimming general spending $3.2 billion (40.1 billion pesos) over the next three years so it can provide more money for social and infrastructure programs.World Briefing | Middle East: Egypt: President Reappears
President Hosni Mubarak appeared on state television talking with his doctors — his first appearance since an operation in Germany 10 days earlier.Spaghetti alla Carbonara
To make this dish the traditional Roman way, mix the cheese, eggs, pepper, and pork in a bowl to create a thick sauce before tossing it with the pasta. Continue...‘Thelma and Louise’ spree brothers jailed
TWO Adelaide brothers have been jailed for a string of offences after going on an interstate crime spree sparked off by their businesses collapsing in the global financial crisis.Asylum boat fire ‘deliberately lit’
A FIRE which caused an asylum seeker boat to explode in the Timor Sea off WA last year was deliberately lit, the Northern Territory Coroner says.Michael Clarke breaks Lara Bingle silence
TEST vice-captain gives first interview following Bingle bust-up, saying he expects some sledging.‘Enraged’ driver ran over man twice
WOMAN "freaked out" before reversing back over a man and dragging him under, court told.Tell-all book locks Ben in battle
BEN Cousins is locked in battle with his publisher and author over an explosive tell-all memoir charting his extensive drug use and gangland connections.Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. XIII—the Brunch Menu, Pt. IV
Table of contents for Brunch and Breakfast Menu I
- “Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. I—Eggs”
- “Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. II—Eggs”
- “Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. III—Eggs”
- “Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. IV—Eggs and Omelets”
- “Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. V—Eggs and Omelets continued”
- Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. VI—Poached Egg Specialties
- Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. VII—Poached Egg Specialties II
- Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. VIII—Scrambles, Pt. I
- Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. IX—Scrambles, Pt. II
- Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. X—the Brunch Menu, Pt. I
- Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. XI—the Brunch Menu, Pt. II
- Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. XII—the Brunch Menu, Pt. III
- Easter Sunday Holiday Brunch, Pt. XIII—the Brunch Menu, Pt. IV
The last thing that every brunch needs (besides an ice carving) is a spectacular fruit tray. Fruit trays are important as many of the guests on a breakfast shift always want a wide selection of fruit upon which to feast. It is important that you have as many fresh fruits available for your brunch that you can afford and the good thing is, it can all be prepared in advance. Leftovers are easily used and can be disposed of in a variety of places—from muffins to fruit punches—that there’s no worry about NOT using them. I think we like the standard fruits—berries, melons, peaches, pineapple, and oranges—but specialty fruits can also be utilized.
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St. Patrick’s Day is reason to celebrate
Top of the morning, and don't forget to wear a bit of the green. It's St. Patrick's Day, for anyone who'd forgotten. And, in Kansas City, that means it's a parade day. The Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade is a long-standing tradition that just keeps getting better. It's so good, in fact, that the city boasted several lead-ins last weekend.It’s time right now to fix health care
Congress last tried and failed to pass health care reform in 1994. Bill Clinton was president. “Forrest Gump” was named best motion picture. Social networking was something you did at the corner bar. Sixteen years later, and health care cost growth has vastly outpaced inflation. More people go without insurance. Thousands have died for lack of it. Experts across the political spectrum agree that our system costs too much, delivers too little.What Others Are Saying | Will the sunshine last very long?
It’s Sunshine Week, an annual attempt by good government groups and news organizations to promote better access to government information. The week started with a report suggesting that the Obama administration’s first year of efforts to improve access to government information had yielded mixed results. Amid those findings, the White House issued a memo on Tuesday reminding agencies to redouble their efforts to reduce their backlog of freedom of information requests.Moratorium on death penalty would give Missouri time for study
Three black men were convicted in St Louis of murdering two white sisters, Robin and Julie Kerry, in 1991. One of those men, Marlin Gray, has been executed. The Missouri Supreme Court set June 17, 2009, as the execution date for another of those men, Reginald Clemons. A federal court stayed the execution, and the Missouri Supreme Court appointed Jackson County Judge Michael Manners as special master, with subpoena power, to review the Clemons case, including any new evidence. Nineteen years after the deaths of the two sisters, five years after Marlin Gray’s execution, and nine months after Clemons’ execution was stayed, Attorney General Chris Koster inquired about the case, fulfilling a campaign promise. He faxed a letter to Manners last week indicating that there is previously undisclosed evidence — a rape kit — relating to the Clemons case.Derby man first to breach pub ban
A DERBY man has today emerged as the first person to be charged with breaching a prohibition order that had banned him from entering any pub, club or hotel.Iranians Defy a Ban in a Display of Dissent
Iranians celebrated the Feast of Fire, an ancient Iranian holiday, turning an annual celebration into a show of antigovernment sentiment.Visteon judge won’t halt benefits termination (AP)
AP - A Delaware bankruptcy judge on Tuesday refused to halt implementation of his order allowing auto parts supplier Visteon Corp. to terminate its retirees' health and life insurance benefits.Sydney most overvalued property market
IT will surprise few people that Sydney is seen as Australia's most overvalued property market.Van death compensation protest
PROTESTERS will gather outside State Parliament today to demand compensation be paid to the family of a man who died from heatstroke in the back of a prison van.Liver mum Claire into surgery
CONTROVERSIAL liver transplant patient Claire Murray has gone into surgery in Singapore for a life-saving 'live liver'' organ donation.Honda recalls 412,000 US vehicles for ’soft’ brakes (AFP)
AFP - Honda announced the recall of an estimated 412,000 vehicles in the United States because of problems with "soft" brakes, in the latest blow to the embattled Japanese auto industry.
Iran Unlikely to Develop a Nuclear Weapon This Year, Petraeus Says
Gen. David H. Petraeus said the country still remained the greatest threat to stability in the Middle East and Central Asia.Peru President Fires Justice Minister Amid Scandal
LIMA, Peru (AP) -- President Alan Garcia fired Peru's justice minister Tuesday amid questions over the pardoning of a former media executive convicted of taking payoffs to provide favorable coverage for a previous government.2 Police Killed by Motorcycle Gunmen in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- Haitian police say two off-duty officers have been shot to death near an open-air market in the capital.Paralympics closing ceremonies make live TV
The closing ceremonies for the 2010 Winter Paralympics have gone from a no-show to a live show on the official broadcast network for the Games.Sabotage most likely on SIEV 36 - coroner
THE Northern Territory coroner will refer his findings into the Ashmore Reef asylum-seekers boat explosion to the NT commissioner of police to examine whether criminal charges can been laid against three of the men onboard.FBI: No Evidence Mexico Hit Men Targeted Americans
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) -- Confused hit men may have gone to the wrong party, the FBI said Tuesday as it cast doubt on fears that the slaying of three people with ties to the U.S. consulate shows that Mexican drug cartels have launched an offensive against U.S. government employees.Women, Girls Rape Victims in Haiti Quake Aftermath
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) -- When the young woman needed to use the toilet, she went out into the darkened tent camp and was attacked by three men.Vote for your favorite corporation, soon
By Tom Ryan, Kansas City Star Reader Advisory Panel Put down your tea cups and coffee mugs, folks. Your future candidates may be (constitutionally cool) corporations. Maryland voters could be voting for Murray Hill Inc. Not Murray Hill the person, the company. Screenplay writers, boot-up your laptops. read moreCyclist dies after collision with tip truck
A YOUNG man is dead after his bike collided with a tip truck in Melbourne this morning.Amnesty Calls for More Freedom in Cuba
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DES MOINES – Auditors outlined a list of irregularities and questionable practices within the Iowa Association of School Boards, and said they were stopped when they tried to share those concerns with the association’s board.
The Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee is looking into problems with the IASB, a non-profit group funded in part by taxpayer dollars.
Auditors told lawmakers Tuesday they went to IASB Executive Director Maxine Kilcrease and another official with a laundry list of concerns. They also cited to IASB officials the need for internal controls to ensure that expenses were approved.
Ted Lodden of the West Des Moines accounting firm Brooks Lodden said they were told to discuss every issue or audit finding with a new executive council and then would have the opportunity after they completed the audit to meet with the IASB’s board.
The auditors were invited to a board meeting, where they thought the purpose was to present those issues. But they sat there for the better part of two days and were told by management the board was too busy to meet with them, Lodden said.
They were told their list of concerns would be handed to board members.
“I don’t believe that list was ever presented to the board,” Lodden said.
Lodden said when he tried to bring concerns to the association’s board, he was sent a letter from the association’s outside lawyer to his lawyer, which he interpreted as a threat.
One auditor in the firm was prohibited from having any contact with the board or current or former staff members, Lodden said. He also was instructed to put another auditor on the job, Lodden said.
The IASB has since placed Kilcrease on paid administrative leave until an investigation can be completed.
The IASB said Kilcrease’s contract called for a $210,000 annual salary, but that she was being paid what would amount to $367,000 per year. Kilcrease also raised the salaries of three other top employees, officials said.
Kevin Schick, a consultant who was serving as chief financial officer, also finds himself in the spotlight for allegedly using an association credit card to pay for airplane tickets to Bora Bora that were not for business travel, officials said.
Attorney Nolden Gentry, who is representing the IASB, said to his knowledge, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is probing expenses that it appears an IASB program billed both the state and federal governments for.
Lodden said it is possible about $500,000 of a federal grant would have to be paid back.
Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, questioned the use of the association’s credit card for expenses, noting most people turn in business expenses to be reimbursed.
Gentry said association officials were provided access to a credit card so they could charge legitimate IASB expenses without having to pay it out of their own pockets. He said they were required to fill out a report to justify charges.
“It was not intended for people to put personal charges on it,” Gentry said.
Officials said $8,680 was improperly charged, with $7,500 paid back so far.
Rep. Deborah Berry, a Waterloo Democrat and member of the oversight committee, expressed frustration with what went on at IASB.
“It disgusts me,” Berry said. “Again, here we are in tough economic times, and teachers are being laid off, and then you have another organization that’s using taxpayer dollars at their own discretion.”
The legislative committee is continuing hearings Monday, and Co-Chair and Sen. Rich Olive, D-Story City, they could use subpoena power to bring people before the committee.